It is not really surprising to hear that a privileged individual can just easily neglect the importance of education. In fact, many students today think education is no longer relevant in life but for those who dreamed of being able to go school yet do not have the resources, access to education is a valuable luxury.
In the harsh world of reality, the poverty-stricken often faced the stigma and the society's bigotry about being lazy and their unwillingness to free themselves being poor. But have you ever wondered what could be the impact of education to poverty and vice versa?
According to Winona State University Chief Academic Officer, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Rogers, education can be a powerful tool against poverty. Based on her article published by Winona Daily News, Rogers stressed poverty remains to be a significant global issue today, noting the struggles with generational poverty, situational poverty and working poverty.
Unfortunately, eradicating poverty is no easy task. Rogers even pointed out that the task of eliminating poverty appears to be "overwhelming and unimaginable" but the vicious cycle of poverty can be stopped by education.
"The task of eliminating poverty seems overwhelming and even unimaginable," Rogers wrote. "Yet there is so much we can do to stop these cycles of poverty, shatter the myths, face down racism and take action, if we are willing to use one of our greatest weapons - education."
With that said, how can education be a panacea to poverty if an Ontario Child Health Study revealed a direct connection between the economic status of an individual to his or her educational development? Aside from the impact of poverty to education, University Herald also reported its direct link to chronic health problems and psychiatric disorders.
Despite the negative impact of poverty in education, Pulsus Pediatrics and Child Health noted that education can help counteract the effects of poverty. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education also vowed to concentrate on eliminating the impact of poverty in education.
During the press conference on Jul. 27, U.S. Secretary of Education John King shared how education can be life-changing to those poverty-stricken and homeless individuals. King also explained the new proposed policies under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
"I know schools can save lives, because schools saved mine," King said at the conference call, as per Education Dive. "Public school teachers gave me a sense of hope, created an environment that was structured and supportive. I understand school can be the difference as a safe and supportive place for students facing homelessness."
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